Amtrak will soon be implementing a new refund policy according to John Vigezzi, Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce transportation committee member.

At the chamber's transportation committee meeting Thursday, Vigezzi explained that those looking to return their tickets should do so as soon as possible to avoid losing ticket value.

“If a student has a ticket and they do not cancel the ticket within 24 hours prior to departure, they will actually lose all value on that ticket,” he said. “We’re trying to get the word out that they need to cancel tickets if they’re not going to travel.”

The new return policy will take effect on March 1 of this year.

Illinois Department of Transportation Deputy Director Joe Crowe alleviated a rumor circulating around town that would take bridges out of the plans for the 336 northwest bypass. He said that they have no intentions of deviating from the original plans.

Crowe said that the structures were negotiated separately from the paving with a consultant because IDOT did not have bridge approvals yet.

Mayor Mike Inman stressed that the city’s preferred option is to maintain the original design. Vigezzi also stated that the chamber board put together a resolution that was passed by the board to go back to the original design.

Illinois Department of Transportation field engineer Dale Rasmussen updated the committee on the progress of several area projects.

U..S Route 67 over Farmers Fork that was awarded in 2012 is now 99.5 percent complete, 100 percent complete from the Warren County line.

The bridge on 450th road over the Troublesome Creek is scheduled for local federal day labor with the letting program cost at $500,000. Final plans have been approved with February letting anticipated.

The grading contract for the 336 Macomb bypass is 44 percent complete. Earthwork will continue as weather permits. U.S. 67 north of Macomb to U.S. 136 east of Macomb will see additional boring work in spring of this year via a proposal developed by Kaskaskia Engineering Group.

Phase two of the four-lane widening of U.S. 67 is 95 percent complete from Macomb to north of Industry. The roadway geotechnical report has been reviewed by the district geometric engineer and has an estimated IDOT approval date of March.

University Drive is on schedule for letting, Bower Road is officially completed, and phase one of Adams street improvements from Ward Street to Lafayette street has been completed.

Vigezzi extended his compliments to the city staff for their work in clearing the streets after the snow.

Inman said that six staff members were off sick with the flu and were down two pieces of equipment that broke unrelated to maintenance issues.

Co-chairman of the Macomb Airport Bill Butcher reported that the new fuel pumps have been installed at the airport, while the airport works with credit card companies to allow for the on-site credit card payments.